Stories From The Pacific

For Kathy Martin, maps aren't something you find on your phone. They're inherited; passed down in the way your aunty cuts fish or says your name like it's always belonged to the land. From Piis-Paneu in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, Kathy grew up knowing that place wasn't just something to chart — it was something to feel. Her earliest memories are of travelling between islands like the ocean was a highway guided by language, memory, and the people who raised her. Culture wasn't taught. It was lived. Kathy came from a community where every adult looked out for every child, where stories were shared like food, and where language didn't just communicate — it anchored identity. She carried that with her. From teaching at her former high school to working across the Pacific helping schools support Micronesian students and families, to stepping onstage as a storyteller. In this episode, Kathy shares how Micronesian children are raised in community and why that matters. Why culturally safe education begins with language and belonging. And what it meant to step onstage and speak a truth too often overlooked: that culture is not small, and neither is Micronesia. This is a story of voice, vision, and the kind of maps we carry long before we ever draw our own.

Illustrator Jaelyn Biumaiwai has spent most of her life navigating that question. Raised on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, Jaelyn’s story is about piecing together identity when the world doesn’t offer you the full picture. Growing up in a twin bubble, surrounded by family, she didn’t always have the words — or community — to help her feel grounded in her Fijian identity. That journey she’s had to seek out, reclaim, and learn to carry in her own way. Now, through bold and beautiful illustrations, Jaelyn brings her culture to life, not just for herself, but for others still searching too. In this episode, we talk identity, cultural reconnection, and the joy of finally seeing yourself, and helping others do the same.

Stories From The Pacific

Gazellah Bruder has carved out a powerful path as an artist, storyteller, and advocate. Her work boldly centres women, mothers, survivors and warriors, while tackling big themes like colonial legacy, environmental loss, and gender-based violence. With more than 50 exhibitions across Papua New Guinea and around the world, she has become one of the Pacific's most fearless and influential voices in contemporary art. Now featured in the upcoming exhibition "Invisible Lines", Gazellah continues to challenge, provoke, and inspire. Turning creativity into a tool for truth and transformation. In this 2-part series, she joins us to share her journey, her practice, and the powerful stories behind her art. Part 2

Gazellah Bruder has carved out a powerful path as an artist, storyteller, and advocate. Her work boldly centres women, mothers, survivors and warriors, while tackling big themes like colonial legacy, environmental loss, and gender-based violence. With more than 50 exhibitions across Papua New Guinea and around the world, she has become one of the Pacific’s most fearless and influential voices in contemporary art. Now featured in the upcoming exhibition Invisible Lines, Gazellah continues to challenge, provoke, and inspire. Turning creativity into a tool for truth and transformation. In this 2-part series, she joins us to share her journey, her practice, and the powerful stories behind her art.

Stories From The Pacific

Aselu Vaguna O'Brien is a draftsman, climate advocate, and a man of many talents—though if you ask his friends, he's also just 'Strawberry,' the guy who won't stop talking about rugby or his love for fresh fruit. Born in Fiji and raised in Tuvalu, Aselu's journey has taken him from engineering to media, from construction sites to mapping coastlines that are disappearing before his eyes. Today, he's using technology to document Tuvalu's changing landscape and fighting to ensure his homeland has a future.

Gemma Bird Matheson is an actor/writer/producer of South African and Papua New Guinean heritage. Self-identifying as a queer, Papua New Guinean Christian, Gemma's journey has been an interesting one, particularly when it has come to selecting roles that she can see herself in and relating to. She was a finalist for the 2018 Heath Ledger Scholarship and starred in AACTA and International Emmy Nominated ABC series Content, which also won a prolific Rose D'Or award. She has become an example of Pacific excellence outside the islands and with a wild journey of a life story (that is continuing to unfold) to share, Gemma shares some of her experiences with Stories From The Pacific.

For Thomas Manglona, journalism is life. Hailing from the island of Rota, Thomas is a native Chamorro multimedia journalist, whose work in covering government, social justice and environmental issues for TV, has solidified him as a trusted and respected figure within his local community. For Thomas, he has always loved journalism and storytelling and he has always known what the final goal would be. The founder of the Pacific Islander Journalism Taskforce, Thomas' work has extended into the advocacy space, where he champions journalists and coverage across the Oceania region. Today Thomas shares more on the journey he has taken through his career and the next step he takes into the future.

Jeshua Gideon Hope received his new name when he was 11-years-old. He was raised in a community where introduced Evangelical beliefs encouraged Indigenous-Fijian families to "de-native" themselves as they were taught to believe that this was bring them closer to God. As an adult, Jeshua is an advocate for the de-colonising of his own culture as well as other Indigenous communities around the globe. Jeshua says he is only able to do this through seeking learning and being curious with kindness.

Mara Mahoney on discovering "what was wrong with her" and how knowledge is power.

Paige Mafi permanently marks skin to "alchemise grief and shame", to capture the journeys of parenthood and to acknowledge fertility, miscarriage and loss. This practice and these journeys are reflections of her own experiences throughout her life.

Neil Nuia speaks on finding the balance between living a life with responsibility while also holding passion and love for his partner, children and community who continues to strengthen, inspire and drive him.

Lilly Simon and Jonathan Bia have lived completely separate lives, until now. There are two things that connect them – one being that they published the first known children's book to be translated into three languages – Solomon Islands Sign Language, English and Pijin; and the second thing is they both belong to the deaf community in the Solomon Islands.

You probably know about the last moments of the Rainbow Warrior. But what do you know about the Greenpeace ship's last voyage before it was bombed by the French in New Zealand in 1985? Where had it come from, why was it there and what was it doing? Find out in The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior.

Jamaica Moana's whānau encourage her to "keep it real". We gain private insight into her early performances and the people in her life that continue to ground and support her to this day.

Uein Buranibwe has always been a skilled fisherman; fishing has been part of his routine for his whole life. There is always a risk of being lost at sea, but you never think it could be you — until one day it is. Do you have a story idea for this program? You can email us on: storiesfromthepacific@abc.net.au

Despite a rocky childhood and battling with depression and anxiety, Martha Mataele says "there is always hope". Do you have a story idea for this program? You can email us on: storiesfromthepacific@abc.net.au

Lisa Fa'alafi's decision to co-create theatre work that filled a gap has taken her on a wild ride across the globe. When reflecting on her journey, Lisa recognises that her art practice and work has and continues to imitate her life. Do you have a story idea for this program? You can email us on: storiesfromthepacific@abc.net.au

Growing up Tony used to listen to kastom stories on the radio in the Solomon Islands. These stories that he listened to as a child nurtured an interest he had for folklore, history, science and mysteries. As he went through his schooling he developed an interest in scientific research and discovered that these two spaces – telling folklore and studying science - were working towards the same goals, but in unique ways. Both of these practices were working towards making discoveries about the unknown and unveiling the mysteries of the world. Each of them had lessons to share and reflect upon. Tony’s love for scientific research and kastom stories have taken him through life and aided him in understanding the world that surrounds him and the way he and his community continue to preserve their history. Do you have a story idea for this program? You can email us on: storiesfromthepacific@abc.net.au